Jungle & Nature

Cambodia’s forests cover nearly half the country — and what remains is extraordinary. Unlike much of mainland Southeast Asia, large tracts of lowland rainforest still exist here, sheltering wildlife that has vanished elsewhere.

The Cardamom Mountains

Stretching across southwest Cambodia, the Cardamom range is one of the largest remaining blocks of tropical forest in Southeast Asia. The mountains shelter:

• Asian elephants — one of the largest wild populations in the region
• Clouded leopards, sun bears, and banteng (wild cattle)
• Pileated gibbons — their morning calls echo across the canopy
• Giant ibis — Cambodia’s national bird, critically endangered elsewhere

Chi Phat in Koh Kong province is the gateway community — a model eco-tourism project where former hunters now work as wildlife guides. Multi-day treks into the forest, wildlife monitoring, and kayaking on the Preak Pi River.

Mondulkiri — Cambodia’s Wild East

The northeastern highlands feel like a different country. Red laterite roads wind through pine forests, waterfalls cascade off plateaus, and a resident elephant herd roams semi-wild at the Elephant Valley Project.

Must do: The Elephant Valley Project — a no-ride, no-performance sanctuary where you walk alongside elephants through the forest. One of Southeast Asia’s best wildlife experiences.

Bou Sra Waterfall — 10km from Sen Monorom, a double cascade plunging into jungle pools. Dramatic in wet season (June–October).

Ratanakiri — The Sacred Lake

Cambodia’s northeastern corner feels genuinely remote. The volcanic crater lake Yeak Laom is crystalline and perfectly circular — sacred to the indigenous Bunong and Jarai peoples.

Virachey National Park — one of Southeast Asia’s largest protected areas, covering 3,325 sq km. Multi-day guided treks only.

Tonle Sap Biosphere

Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. During the wet season (June–October), the lake triples in size — flooding forests and creating an inland sea habitat for 200+ species of fish and thousands of waterbirds.

The flooded forest around Kompong Phluk is kayakable and otherworldly at high water.

Mekong River — Irrawaddy Dolphins

Near Kratie, a small population of critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphins (fewer than 90 individuals) can be seen year-round in the Mekong’s deep pools. Boat tours depart from the village of Kampi, 15km north of Kratie town.